Book 1/50 By Darkness Hid

I did not make New Year's resolutions this year, however I decided to set a reading goal of 50 books for the year last week. I didn't read as much as I would have liked this past year, and I want to get back into reading again. I love to read, I was just so busy with work and school.

So far, I have read one book - a good start I suppose, but if I'm going to keep my goal I need to read 5 books a month. We'll see how this goes when J-term break ends. I had downloaded the first book in a series called The Blood of Kings, By Darkness Hid some time last year, but never got around to reading it, so that became my first project. I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed the first installment in this series, and I can't wait to read the next one.

Alas, Marketing is Over

Today is the second to last day of my J-term Marketing Class and I've never been ready to be done with a course in my life. Something about studying only one subject for an entire month at a rate of three hours a day is extremely energy-draining no matter what the subject is. With the final looming ahead tomorrow I should probably be studying, but hey, I'm working at the desk where I'm going to get interrupted anyway, so might as well share my thoughts on marketing.

I'm really glad I chose to take this class - I found it increasingly interesting as the term went on and was surprised at the things I learned about marketing that I did not know before. Being extremely non-exposed to how businesses work at all, I viewed marketing as advertising, or merely the selling of a product, which I typically looked down upon due to the annoying presence of sales people and telemarketing. (Not to mention the banner ads on websites) Marking is about satisfying customer wants and needs, not trying to sell a product, its about creating a relationship with people. My professor also showed a large interest for internet technology, which, being a computer science major, is right up my alley.

I learned the most in the area of marketing ethics. I realized I had unconsciously categorized marketing as an evil subject, something that God would not look upon with favor. I soon came to realize that marketing done with morals in mind and with a truthful mindset is a very successful career. While I have no intention of changing my major to marketing or entering that field in the job, I have a higher respect for marketers in general after learning what exactly marketing is. That being said, I did really enjoy marketing, but enough is enough.

5 Things I Learned My First Semester

So 2014 was the start of college for me, and today I am sitting at my college library, where I pretty much live, chilling with coffee and eating the orange that I stuck in my backpack this morning. (If you don't believe me, check my Instagram) As I sit here, I realized that I am not the same person that I was when I stumbled onto campus August last year, paralyzed by the fear of having to meet new people and *gasp* live with them. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to adapt to this new life, I was homeschooled, used to working at my own pace and making my own schedule. I'm here to say I survived, and here are five things I learned my first semester.

1.) Your roommates and hall residents don't have to be your friends.

I came to college thinking that the roommates to which I had been assigned to and the people on my floor would become my best friends. I could not have been more wrong. By the second month I soon discovered that the people on my hall had formed mini groups and cliques, of which I had no desire to be with. And, to be honest, I cannot remember all of their names. And it is all ok. I don't talk to my roommates on a regular basis; we try to coexist with each other in silence. I realized that I made friends on my own at the places on campus I am often at like the library and my classes. So, a tip: don't confine yourself to the people you first meet. It will change, and you will grow.

So it's 2015 (Part 4)

I think I should probably finish this project before February comes. Whoops.

26. What was the best book you read?

Ender's Game

27. Did you fall in love in 2014

No. Unfortunately, no.

28. What was your favorite TV show?

Hmmm Doctor Who I suppose although I wasn't really impressed with the latest season.

29. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate at this time last year?

I dislike my roommate. Like really dislike. It's kind of bad. (daggers, anyone?)

30. What did you want and get?

A job. Well I got two jobs.

31. What did you not want and get?

All these sinus infections. I think they got worse this past year.

32. What were your favorite films of this past year?

The Hobbit 3 & How to Train Your Dragon 2

So It's 2015 (Part 3)

21. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Truth. 2014 was the discovering of Kpop for me. Also Jason Chen, Sungha Jung, and Magic!.

22. What do you wish you had done less of?

Worry, and work. I worked 14 hour days all summer and I had no fun.

23. How did you spend Christmas?

With my mom and my sisters, and my grandparents, discovered The Librarians and received lots of Doctor Who merchandise.

So It's 2015 (Part 2)

11. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Not really but I struggled with allergies all year.

12. What was the best thing you bought?

Probably my android smartphone. It's a Moto E. I am so glad I have it because now I can make plans with friends and carry my calendar around.

13. Whose behavior merited celebration?

My mom. I don't know.

14. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

15. Where did most of your money go?

College.

16. What do you really really get excited about?

Technology, new books, mostly my telly.

17. What was the best concert you have been to this year?

So it's 2015 (Part 1)

Hard to believe that a new year is upon us. Lots of things have happened in our lives so I want to share some of my moments from 2014 with you all. I'm copying Ely's 2014/2015 post - so go where credit is due. Now let's get to the fun stuff.

1.) What did you do in 2014 that you've never done before?

a) Gave my first speech
b) Finished my first Chopin piano piece
c) Got my first job
d) Took my first final ever

2.) Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions, and will you make one this year?

Resolutions? Yeah ok...

Actually I decided that since I always make unrealistic expectations for myself I wasn't going to make New Year's resolutions this year.

3.) Did anyone close to you give birth? 

Nope.

4.) Did anyone close to you die?

No.

5.) What countries/states did you visit?

Hmmmm well I went to NYC and Washington, DC over the summer but other than that nope. Random fact: I got my mom Billy Joel tickets for her birthday.

6.) What would you like to have in 2015 that you lacked in 2014?

Two things:

a.) more self confidence

b.) the motivation to read the Bible everyday

7.) What date from 2014 will remain etched in your memory?

August 28th, college move in day

8.) Did you move anywhere?

To college!

9.) Biggest achievement of the year? 

Honestly I made so many advancements with social skills, I made friends, and am discovering who I am.

10.) Biggest failure?

Withdrawing from music theory. Trying to be friends with everyone on campus. Being afraid of guys. 

That's the end of part 1! Now I need to get to sleep so I can do marketing homework tomorrow.

Of To The Beautiful You

So tonight I started watching a K-drama called To The Beautiful You and so far am thoroughly enjoying it as well as laughing my head off every 30 seconds.



Basically lovestruck girl Gu Jae Hee starts attending an all boys school to be with a super star athlete that is going through trouble after an injury. Clearly drama follows. I expected this show to be pretty predictable, but was surprised when they made the lead guy character (the athlete) figure out Jae Hee was a girl in the 4th episode. I figured they would tag it along alot longer. (After Merlin I kind of expect this kind of treatment)

Anyway, I'm really enjoying it, and am looking forward to what the rest of the story holds.

Also was super excited to see Exo-K perform Mama in episode 2...made my night.

Of J-Term

Alas, I have chosen a college that participates in that unfriendly break-shortener referred to as J-Term, or January Term. This entitles the study of one class M-F 3 hours a day. I am taking Marketing, as it is required for my major, and do not expect to have a blast during this extremely cold month. While it will be nice to have Marketing out of the way in a month, the class includes speeches and presentations that I am not a fan of. I hated Oral Comm, and I am really hoping there is more to this class than practicing advertising a product. That being said, I realize that I will probably learn alot during this class and am exciting for what it has in store for me.